Council
12 June, 2026
Residents still receiving unflouridated water
Most of the Wingecarribee Shire is still receiving unflouridated water – almost 12 months after council advised residents of a ‘short-term disruption’ to fluoride dosing.
Most of the Wingecarribee Shire is still receiving unflouridated water – almost 12 months after council advised residents of a ‘short-term disruption’ to fluoride dosing.
Council advised in July last year that water fluoridation would be “temporarily paused” at the Wingecarribee Water Treatment Plant at Sheepwash Road, Glenquarry but would resume “within 20 to 24 weeks (around five to six months)”.
However, the necessary work still hasn’t been completed.
Water fluoridation began in Australia in 1953 as a public health measure to help prevent tooth decay.
One local resident, who didn’t want to be named, said she was “very disappointed” to be told by her dentist that she had developed a cavity since her last visit six months ago.
She said council should be prioritising projects with a public health benefit instead of gifting money to the Ngunungglua Regional Art Gallery.
She said her dentist had recommended that she start using a higher fluoride toothpaste.
Council said in July that the temporary suspension was required “due to essential equipment servicing and repairs to maintain optimum dosing standards”.
It said NSW Health had been notified and water quality would continue to be monitored “to ensure it meets all safety standards”.
In its latest update – published on its website at the end of March – council said design of a new dosing system had been completed and a contractor engaged.
It said it was awaiting approval from the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW) before starting work on installation of the system.
The Wingecarribee Water Treatment Plant services most of the shire with the exception of Bundanoon, Exeter and the southern villages.
Council will notify residents when fluoridation of the water supply resumes.
The Southern Wire understands the South Western Sydney Local Health District advised industry associations of the disruption when it was announced last year.
According to the NSW Health website, tooth decay is one of the most common health problems in Australia and can have a serious impact on people's overall health and wellbeing.
It says Australian studies have shown that fluoridation helps reduce the risk of tooth decay in people of all ages.
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